Business Education

The Hidden Priorities Small Business Owners Lose Over the Year—and How to Get Them Back

The end of the year can mean many things to many people. But for small business owners, the year’s end presents an opportunity to get past the cluster and apathy that’s built up for the past twelve months, and provide a time to reembrace an enthusiasm that allows for a genuine refocus to start the next year out on an energetic mission seeking to rekindle the fire they felt before and give their businesses renewed purpose.

Refocusing on the Priorities Small Business Owners Often Lose—and Need Most—in the New Year

The start of a new year gives small business owners something they rarely get during the grind of daily operations: a natural pause. It’s a chance to step back, zoom out, and reclaim the priorities that slipped through the cracks while you were busy keeping the lights on. The truth is, most owners don’t lose track of what matters because they’re careless—they lose track because they’re overloaded. The new year is your opportunity to reset the balance.

Revisit Your Vision Before Your To‑Do List

Before diving into goals, take a moment to reconnect with the reason you started the business. Vision drift is real. Over time, urgent tasks crowd out meaningful direction, and you end up running a business that feels reactive instead of intentional.

First, clarify what success looks like now. Your definition may have changed since you launched. Next, identify what no longer fits. Products, services, or habits that once made sense may now be distractions. Then, choose one or two strategic priorities. Not ten. Not even five. Focus sharpens impact.

This isn’t fluffy reflection—it’s strategic alignment. When your vision is clear, your decisions get easier.

Strengthen the Systems You’ve Been “Meaning to Fix”

Every business has them: those clunky processes you tolerate because you’re too busy to overhaul them. The new year is the perfect time to finally address the inefficiencies that quietly drain time, money, and morale.

Automate repetitive tasks. Invoicing, scheduling, follow-ups—these shouldn’t require manual effort.
Document your workflows. If it lives only in your head, it’s a bottleneck.
Upgrade outdated tools. Software that “mostly works” is costing you more than you think.

Improving systems isn’t glamorous, but it’s one of the highest‑ROI moves a small business can make.

Reinvest in Relationships That Matter

During busy seasons, relationship-building is often the first thing to slip. Yet your business depends on the people who trust and support you—customers, partners, employees, and your community.

Reconnect with top customers. A simple check‑in can spark new opportunities.
Strengthen your team culture. Recognition, clarity, and communication go further than perks.
Expand your network intentionally. Don’t wait for referrals—cultivate them.

Relationships compound. A small investment now pays off all year.

Reclaim Your Time and Energy

Many owners enter January exhausted. The new year is a chance to rebuild healthier habits that support long-term performance.

Set boundaries around your availability. Constant accessibility is not a business strategy.
Delegate with purpose. If someone else can do it 80% as well, hand it off.
Schedule CEO time. Weekly, non-negotiable time for strategy—not operations.

Your business can’t stay strong if you’re running on fumes.

Make Data Your Decision-Making Partner

Gut instinct is valuable, but data keeps you honest. The new year is a great time to build or refine the metrics that actually matter. This is why it’s important to track leading indicators and not just revenue—look at pipeline, retention, and conversion. Also, be sure to review your financials monthly, and don’t procrastinate with “I’ll catch up next quarter.” You should additionally use data to prune distractions. If something isn’t performing, adjust or eliminate it. Remember, data turns guesswork into strategy.

Want to Accomplish More?

Do you want your company to grow faster and earn more while spending more time with your family doing everything you started your business to do?

We can make that dream a reality. Give us 30 minutes, and we will show you how to get your life back. Skeptical? Good! Put us to the test.

You can call us for your free appointment at 480-636-1720, or, if you prefer, Waters Business Consulting Group to learn more about us and the services we offer.

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My Employees are Making Excuses about Coming Back to the Office — What Can I Do?

March 31, 2021 No Comments

Although many parts of the country are reopening, some people might not be ready (or comfortable) with returning to the workplace. Of course, if this is happening to your business, it can not only be frustrating, but quite harmful to your company’s overall health. And, it’s certainly more preferable to bring back known quantities, rather than to try and replace trusted staff. But, you’ll have to convince those reluctant individuals first. Common Coronavirus-Related Excuses Employees might say they get the same amount from unemployment as they earned prior. Some will say their child’s school is closed or they take care of an elderly parent. Others might cite ongoing health conditions and any exposure to COVID is a severe risk. Unfortunately, these reasons are difficult to argue against. While a one-time incident may be overlooked, small-business owners cannot afford to accept excuses for ongoing performance problems. In a small organization, other employees quickly notice when excuses are allowed. By tolerating excuses, you create a culture of avoidance rather than responsibility. —Houston Chronicle Small Business However, employees who believe the workplace is unsafe is another matter. It’s much easier to convince them about proactive and other protective measures. But, that certainly doesn’t mean it’s a cinch to change their minds, either. How to Deal with Employees Who are Stalling Coming Back to Work Obviously, if someone is obstinate enough, it might not be worth the time and energy. But, if there are a few minimal concerns, it’s entirely possible to convince them to return to the workplace. Here are some helpful suggestions: Emphasize safety. If they are concerned about being around a large group of people again, you can always reduce the number of people in the office, and/or space them apart. Having the office sanitized from top to bottom by a professional cleaning service will also go a long way in reducing worry and anxiety. Give them more flexibility. Consider changing your sick policy in order to accommodate people who might be out for an extended period of time. You can also look into different health insurance plans to see if there’s something better available. Offer incentives. If someone is truly fearful about returning to the workplace, this probably won’t work. However, people that would rather continue to work from home will most definitely want to take advantage. The type and amount of incentives are up to you, but they could go a long way in changing minds. Use your influence. While you might prefer not to result to ultimatums, sometimes these are the only way to really get through to the most stubborn people. Obviously, you can’t do anything illegal, but you can change your businesses policies in regard to working remotely versus remotely working on-site. What other suggestions do you have to deal with employee excuses about returning to the workplace? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts and experiences. Perhaps others can benefit from your unique perspective. Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

The Future of Trade Businesses: Building Companies That Last

March 9, 2026 No Comments

The trades are entering a new era. The next decade will bring major changes in workforce demographics, technology and business models. Companies that adapt will thrive. Invest in leadership Future trade businesses will rely on strong leaders who can manage teams, develop talent and maintain culture. Leadership development should be a priority for every growing company. Develop systems Successful businesses rely on systems that allow them to scale operations while maintaining quality. Processes for training, project management and communication help companies grow sustainably. Prepare the next generation Ultimately, the future of the trades depends on the next generation of workers. Companies that invest in recruiting, training and mentoring young professionals will shape the future of the industry. The trades have always been about building things that last. Now it’s time to build businesses that do the same.

How Small Business Owners Can Craft Irresistible Discounts and Sales that Standout from the Competition

October 18, 2023 No Comments

How Small Business Owners Can Craft Irresistible Discounts and Sales that Standout from the Competition In the competitive landscape of modern commerce, offering discounts and sales is a strategic way for small business owners to attract customers and boost sales. However, simply slashing prices is not enough; your discounts and sales need to stand out amidst the sea of offers customers encounter daily. Because of this, it’s necessary to explore the most effective strategies small business owners can use to make their discounts and sales not only noticeable but also irresistible. By implementing these techniques, you can increase closed deals, enhance customer loyalty, and ultimately, drive higher profits for your business. Ways Small Businesses Can Offer Enticing Discounts and Sales that Beat Out Their Competition Discounts and sales are a great way to attract new customers and increase sales. However, with so many businesses offering discounts and sales, it can be difficult to make your offers stand out. Here are a few tips on how to make your discounts and sales stick out over the competition: Offer unique discounts and promotions. Instead of just offering a generic discount, try offering a more unique discount that is relevant to your business and target audience. For example, you could offer a discount for first-time customers, a discount for students or seniors, or a discount for customers who refer their friends. Use creative marketing language. When promoting your discounts and sales, use creative and eye-catching language that will grab attention. For example, you could use phrases like “Limited-time offer!” or “Save big today!” You could also use images and videos to help promote your discounts and sales. Personalize your discounts and promotions. When possible, try to personalize your discounts and promotions for each customer. For instance, you could send customers personalized email offers based on their purchase history or interests. You could also offer discounts and promotions to customers on their birthday or other special occasions. Make it easy for customers to redeem your discounts and promotions. Your discounts and promotions should be easy for customers to redeem. Avoid using complicated codes or restrictions. You should also make sure that your discounts and promotions are prominently displayed on your website and in your store. Also, be sure to track the results of your discounts and promotions. It is important to track the results of your discounts and promotions so that you can see what is working and what is not. This will help you to improve your future discounts and promotions. More Discount Strategies Small Businesses Can Use While these methods are actionable and helpful, there are additional ways to make such offers enticing to new and repeat customers. Here are a few additional tips that can help you increase the number of closed deals and profits from your discounts and sales: Create a sense of urgency. When promoting your discounts and sales, create a sense of urgency by letting customers know that the offer is only available for a limited time. This will encourage customers to act quickly and make a purchase. Use social proof. Social proof is a powerful psychological phenomenon that can influence people’s behavior. When people see that others are taking advantage of your discounts and sales, they are more likely to do the same. You can use social proof by displaying testimonials from satisfied customers on your website and in your store. You can also promote your discounts and sales on social media and encourage customers to share their experiences with their friends and followers. Upsell and cross-sell. When customers are taking advantage of your discounts and sales, it is a great opportunity to upsell and cross-sell them on other products and services. For example, if a customer is buying a new phone, you could upsell them on a case or screen protector. Additionally, you could also cross-sell them on a wireless plan or accessories. By following these tips, you can make your discounts and sales stand out over the competition and increase the number of closed deals and profits. But, take the time to experiment to learn what works most effectively. Chances are there’s a combination that will yield the best results. With a little trial and error, you’ll discover what works and what doesn’t. Right now, you can get John Waters’ latest book for FREE! (Currently selling for $19.95 on Amazon). This inspiring book titled “Profit by Design: The Blueprint to Successfully Scale Your Business and Regain Your Freedom” is a must-read for business owners who want to do just that! Request your FREE copy in any of the following ways: By phone 602-435-5474 Visit Waters Business Consulting Group By email: Steve@WatersBusinessConsulting.com